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Planning

Seasickness on an Alaska Cruise

By Reviewed by Marin HollowayUpdated 4 min readLast fact checked on .

Alaska is one of the calmest major cruise regions, because most of the route runs inside a chain of islands rather than in open ocean. The Inside Passage is genuinely sheltered. The exceptions are the Gulf of Alaska crossing on one way itineraries, the Queen Charlotte Sound crossing, and the open Pacific coast on sailings from California.

The short answer

Most Alaska cruising is sheltered and calm, particularly the Inside Passage where islands block ocean swell. The rough sections are the Gulf of Alaska on one way sailings, Queen Charlotte Sound between Vancouver Island and the mainland, and the open Pacific on California departures. Choose a mid ship, low deck cabin and start any remedy before you feel unwell rather than after.

Key points

  • The Inside Passage is sheltered by islands and is among the calmest cruising anywhere.
  • The Gulf of Alaska crossing on one way itineraries is the main exposed stretch.
  • Queen Charlotte Sound is a short open water section on most northbound routes.
  • Mid ship, low deck cabins move least. The difference is significant, not marginal.
  • Remedies work far better taken in advance than after symptoms start.

Alaska has a reputation for rough water that is largely undeserved, and it comes from confusing two different things: the Bering Sea, which is genuinely severe, and the Inside Passage, which is not. Cruise ships sail the Inside Passage.

That said, "mostly calm" is not "always calm", and the exceptions are predictable enough that you can plan around them.

Where an Alaska cruise is calm, and where it is not

Sea conditions by section of an Alaska itinerary
SectionTypical conditionsDurationNotes
Inside Passage, Southeast AlaskaVery calmMost of the itinerarySheltered by islands. Often glassy
Queen Charlotte SoundModerate3 to 6 hoursA gap in the island chain, usually crossed overnight
Strait of Georgia and Johnstone StraitCalmSeveral hoursSheltered
Gulf of Alaska crossingModerate to rough12 to 24 hoursOpen ocean. Only on one way Whittier or Seward itineraries
Yakutat Bay approach to HubbardVariable2 to 4 hoursExposed to the Gulf
Open Pacific from CaliforniaModerate to rough2 to 4 daysThe roughest option. San Francisco and Los Angeles sailings
Glacier fjordsVery calmHoursEnclosed water, often mirror flat

How cabin choice affects motion

A ship pivots around its centre. The further you are from that centre, the more you move, and the effect is large enough to be worth planning for if you are sensitive.

Cabin position and perceived motion
PositionMotionTrade off
Mid ship, low deckLeastFewer balconies, less view, often cheaper
Mid ship, high deckLow to moderateGood compromise. More sway, less pitch
Forward, any deckMost pitchRises and falls noticeably in swell
Aft, any deckModerate, plus vibrationEngine vibration is more noticeable
Forward, high deckMost of allAvoid if you are prone to motion sickness

What actually helps

The single most important principle is timing. Almost every remedy works considerably better taken before symptoms begin than after, because once nausea starts, the stomach stops absorbing medication efficiently.

Common approaches to motion sickness
ApproachHow it is usedNotes
Over the counter antihistaminesTaken before travel and repeated as directedEffective for many people. Commonly cause drowsiness
Prescription patchesApplied several hours before exposureLong acting. Discuss side effects with a doctor first
Acupressure wrist bandsWorn continuouslyNo side effects. Evidence is mixed but many travellers find them helpful
GingerCapsules, tea or crystallisedGentle, widely used, low risk
Fresh air and horizon focusGo on deck, look at land or the horizonGenuinely effective and free
Position and postureMid ship, lie down, keep the head stillReduces conflicting sensory input
Eating lightlySmall, plain, frequent mealsAn empty stomach is as bad as a full one
Any medication, including over the counter products, should be discussed with a pharmacist or doctor, particularly if you take other medication or have existing conditions.

What to do if it happens on board

  1. Go outside and look at the horizon. Motion sickness is a sensory conflict between what your inner ear feels and what your eyes see. Looking at a fixed distant point resolves the conflict.
  2. Move mid ship and low. The theatre, the mid ship lounges and the lower decks all move less than your cabin if your cabin is forward or high.
  3. Eat something plain. Dry crackers, plain bread, green apple. An empty stomach makes it worse.
  4. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. Alcohol substantially worsens motion sickness.
  5. Lie down with your head still if being outside is not working. Flat and still is the most reliable position.
  6. Visit the medical centre if it persists. Ships carry effective treatments including injections for severe cases. There is a charge, but this is exactly what the facility is for.

Choosing an itinerary if you are prone

  • Choose a round trip Inside Passage itinerary from Vancouver or Seattle rather than a one way Gulf of Alaska crossing. This is the single biggest lever available.
  • Prefer Vancouver to Seattle if you can, since Vancouver round trips spend more time in sheltered water and less in the exposed stretch off Vancouver Island's west coast.
  • Avoid California departures. San Francisco and Los Angeles sailings involve two to four days on the open Pacific in each direction.
  • Choose a larger ship. Bigger vessels with modern stabilisers move noticeably less than small ones in the same conditions.
  • Sail in July rather than May or September. Weather is most settled in midsummer, and the shoulder months carry a higher chance of a rough Gulf crossing.

Frequently asked questions

Are Alaska cruises rough?
Mostly no. The Inside Passage runs inside a chain of islands that block ocean swell, and it is among the calmest cruising anywhere. The exceptions are the Gulf of Alaska crossing on one way itineraries, a short stretch across Queen Charlotte Sound, and the open Pacific coast on sailings from California. A round trip Inside Passage itinerary is calm the great majority of the time.
Is the Gulf of Alaska crossing rough?
It can be. It is genuinely open ocean and swell is common, though conditions vary from glassy to uncomfortable. It usually takes twelve to twenty four hours and is normally scheduled overnight, so most passengers sleep through the worst of it. If you are strongly prone to motion sickness, choose a round trip itinerary instead.
Which cabin is best if I get seasick?
Mid ship on a low passenger deck. A ship pivots around its centre, so the middle moves least, and lower decks move less than high ones. A forward cabin high up is the worst combination. The difference is significant rather than marginal, and mid ship low cabins are often cheaper than the alternatives.
What is the best seasickness remedy for a cruise?
There is no single best remedy, and the more important variable is timing: almost everything works far better taken before symptoms start. Over the counter antihistamines, prescription patches, acupressure bands and ginger all help different people. Combine any of them with fresh air, a horizon to look at, light plain food and no alcohol. Discuss medication with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you take other prescriptions.
Do cruise ships give out seasickness tablets?
Most do, free of charge at guest services or the front desk. If conditions get rough you will often find bowls of them out in public areas. For severe cases the medical centre can administer stronger treatment including injections, which carries a fee.
Which Alaska itinerary is calmest?
A round trip Inside Passage sailing from Vancouver. It spends the most time in sheltered water between islands and avoids both the Gulf of Alaska crossing and the exposed Pacific coast. A Seattle round trip is a close second, with a slightly more exposed run past the west side of Vancouver Island.

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